Dune Awakening: How to get Iron

In the unforgiving deserts of Dune Awakening, mastering resource collection is essential for survival and progression. Among the most vital mid-game materials you'll encounter is Iron, a core component in crafting advanced equipment, tools, and later-stage alloys like Steel. However, gathering and refining Iron is more than just pick-and-swing — it demands preparation, efficiency, and a ton of Water.

Whether you're gearing up to push through tougher zones or preparing to refine Steel, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about how to get Iron in Dune Awakening, where to find it, the tools required, and what to do with it once it’s yours.

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Where to find Iron Ore in Dune Awakening

This area is rich in rock formations and ore deposits that are ready to be harvested (Image via Funcom)

Once you move past the copper-rich zones in Dune Awakening, such as Hagga Basin South, the game ushers you into a new biome: Vermilius Gap. This rugged, mineral-heavy region is your go-to location for harvesting Iron Ore, the raw material needed for crafting Iron Ingots.

Vermilius Gap – Your primary Iron source

Iron Ore is predominantly located in Vermilius Gap, situated to the north of Hagga Basin. This area is rich in rock formations and ore deposits that are ready to be harvested, assuming you have the right tools. Unlike copper, Iron is much heavier, making inventory management a real challenge during long mining runs.

As you explore Vermilius Gap, you’ll want to deploy your Survey Probe Launcher frequently. This tool helps you scan the terrain and highlights resource-rich areas on your map. Zooming in on the map reveals the exact ore locations, allowing you to mine more efficiently.

Tools required to mine Iron Ore

You’ll need a Cutteray with the right specs or upgrades (Image via Funcom)

Not every mining tool in the game is capable of harvesting Iron Ore. You’ll need a Cutteray with the right specs or upgrades. If you bring a basic version into Vermilius Gap, chances are you’ll come back empty-handed.

Approved tools for mining Iron in Vermilius Gap:

Cutteray Mk1 through Mk6
Sim’s Cutteray
Olef’s Quickcutter
Callie’s Breaker
Industrial Cutteray Mk4

Be sure to check your tool’s compatibility with Iron deposits before heading out. Cutterays with higher tiers tend to mine faster and more efficiently, which is crucial when you're working with limited inventory space and heavy materials.

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Alternate ways to get Iron

You can also trade Iron with other players in community areas such as Arrakeen (Image via Funcom)

While mining is the most straightforward way to obtain Iron Ore, Dune: Awakening offers several alternatives for players who prefer to avoid resource grinding:

Player Exchange

Iron Ore can be purchased from other players via the Exchange, the game’s built-in, player-run auction house. Prices here fluctuate depending on server economy, demand, and availability. Be prepared to pay a premium if you’re trying to buy in bulk.

Direct trading at social hubs

You can also trade Iron with other players in community areas such as Arrakeen. These social hubs are ideal for player-to-player exchanges, often without the inflated fees seen in the Exchange system.

Scavenging and combat

Iron can sometimes be looted from Outposts, Scavenger Camps, or even off fallen enemies. Chests and storage crates in these areas occasionally contain Iron Ore or Iron Ingots, making exploration and combat worthwhile for resource farming.

How to refine Iron Ore into Iron Ingots

Once you’ve progressed through the story and unlocked base-building features, you’ll gain access to the Small Ore Refinery (Image via Funcom)

Raw Iron Ore can’t be used for crafting immediately. First, it must be processed into Iron Ingots, which act as the main component in nearly all mid-tier gear and crafting recipes.

How to refine Iron:

Once you’ve progressed through the story and unlocked base-building features, you’ll gain access to the Small Ore Refinery — a vital tool for resource processing.

Refining recipe:

Iron Ore x5 (3x with Large Ore Refinery)
Water x25
Produces Iron Ingot x1

Yes, Water is required in large amounts. This is crucial to remember, as the refining process can quickly drain your water reserves. Be sure to have Water farming or collection methods established before you begin refining on a large scale.

Why you’ll need a lot of Iron

Iron isn't just a temporary stepping stone in Dune Awakening — it's a fundamental material in the progression chain. As soon as you're done crafting your first batch of tools and armor, the game throws the next challenge at you: Steel crafting.

Steel requires:

1 Iron Ingot
4x Carbon Ore (2x with Large Ore Refinery)
Even more Water (x50)

This means you’ll need a continuous supply of Iron Ingots well beyond your early crafting needs. Stockpiling Iron early can save you a lot of grinding later in the game.

What to craft with Iron Ingots

Get access to the skill nodes in the Planetologists section, for a better farming experience (Image via Funcom)

Once refined, Iron Ingots become the foundation for some of the most useful and versatile gear in the game (69 recipes in total). From personal armor to advanced tools and weapons, you’ll find Iron in dozens of crafting recipes.

Here are some of the high-value items you’ll want to target:

Item	Iron Ingots Required	Other Materials
Mendia's Set	45	Plasteel Microflora Fiber, Plant Fiber, Spice-Infused Iron Dust
Menol's Stillsuit Set	32	Micro-Sandwich Fiber, Plant Fiber, Spice-Infused Iron Dust
Leap Suspensor Belt	10	Particle Capacitor, Holtzman Actuator
Medium Blood Sack	6	Micro-Sandwich Fabric, Plant Fiber
Olef’s Quickcutter	12	EMF Generator, Spice-Infused Iron Dust
Pseudo Pulse-Sword	10	Blade Parts, Plasteel Microflora Fiber, Plant Fiber

Each item plays a role in improving your survivability, mobility, or combat effectiveness in tougher zones. As the enemies scale up in Vermilius Gap and beyond, upgrading to Iron-tier gear becomes a must.

Final tips for Iron ore farming

Always bring the right tools: Check that your Cutteray can handle Iron before setting out.
Water is everything: Keep a dedicated stockpile for refining processes.
Travel light: Iron Ore is heavy — consider using vehicles or making multiple trips.
Scan often: Use the Survey Probe Launcher to avoid wandering aimlessly.
Don’t sell your Iron too early: You’ll need it in large quantities later.

Whether you're gearing up to conquer Arrakis or trying to optimize your resource pipeline, Iron is one of the most important materials in Dune Awakening. Plan your farming runs wisely, manage your Water consumption, and upgrade your tools to stay ahead in this harsh desert world of the Fremen.

Check out our other Dune Awakening Guide:

About the author

Jagaran is an MMO and ARPG writer at Sportskeeda. His involvement in the gaming industry also includes working as a concept artist and as a narrative designer.
At age of nine, Halo: Combat Evolved kicked off his love for the medium. He looks back fondly on the times he visited cyber cafes, watching the older boys playing the game and shouting, "Master Chief!"
If given a chance to inhabit a game world, he would eagerly jump into the breathtaking world of Halo.
He admires Ben "CohhCarnage" Cassell for his engaging dialogue and gameplay as well as his critical thinking regardless of how much he loves the game, which encouraged him to spend countless hours in games and technically analyze them.
In his free time, he enjoys writing books, cooking, sketching, and the occasional game of football.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh